The year has gotten off to a good start for Mercedes-Benz Vans, which has received a major order from Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions (BBUS) for 700 Mercedes-Benz Sprinters. BBUS has its headquarters in Sheffield, offers solutions for energy- and water-providers and is part of Balfour Beatty, one of the largest construction firms in the UK and more than 30,000 employees worldwide. Delivery of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinters is set to begin in May 2010. The new fleet of vans is an important part of Balfour Beatty’s company-wide Zero Harm initiative, with which it wants to achieve a maximum level of occupational safety for all its employees by 2012. To this end, the company is also replacing its fleet of vehicles. The new vans will be used exclusively in the UK.
One of the main reasons why BBUS is modernizing its fleet with Mercedes-Benz Sprinters is that the vehicles have a very high safety standard. “For years now, we’ve been working on steadily reducing the number of traffic accidents among our drivers, focusing particularly on driver training programs and schooling,” says Brent Mitchell, Head of Support Services at BBUS. “Our partnership with Mercedes-Benz will bring us an important step forward in improving driver safety. The fact that the Sprinter is without doubt the safest van in its class was its crucial selling point.”
This major order consists primarily of Sprinter 313 CDI panel vans of 3.5 tons GVW. Mercedes-Benz will also deliver Sprinter chassis with various bodies, as well as a number of five-ton variants. All the vehicles are equipped as standard with the latest version of the ESP stability program, which determines the weight and position of the freight and optimally adjusts the controlled braking operations. The Sprinters are also equipped as standard with adaptive brake lights that flash rapidly during emergency braking. This provides an additional warning signal to following motorists and can therefore help reduce the number of rear-end collisions. Balfour Beatty has decided to equip all 700 of the Sprinters with front passenger airbags and a seatbelt warning system. In addition, all of the vehicles will feature clean, Euro 5-compatible engines.
As in the passenger car segment, starting right now Mercedes-Benz Sprinter models which, owing to particularly sustainable technologies, stand for highest efficiency, and thus for improved fuel consumption and consequently reduced emissions, also will carry the BlueEFFICIENCY label.
The efficiency package or the NGT technology in the Sprinter are examples of this. These Sprinter models are identified by the BlueEFFICIENCY badges affixed to the sides in the area of the left and right B-pillars.
Efficiency package: new engines, new transmission and other components
BlueEFFICIENCY stands in this case for an efficiency package comprising the newly developed four-cylinder engine (OM 651) and the new transmission (ECO Gear) plus the ECO start/stop function.
New diesel engine generation: first-rate performance
Highest efficiency characterises the new diesel engines of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. The centre of attention is the new four-cylinder CDI. Its three output ratings of 70 kW (95 hp), 95 kW (129 hp) and 120 kW (163 hp) cover almost all the demands on vans in the Sprinter class. The four-cylinder gets very respectable pulling power with torque of 250 Nm, 305 Nm and 360 Nm. Remarkable: the peak torque already is available at an extremely low engine speed.
On-demand control of the auxiliary units saves fuel
The Sprinter efficiency package also includes auxiliaries with on-demand control – something new in the van sector. The electrically switched oil pump regulates its delivery independently and adaptively – for the first time on a diesel engine. The piston-cooling oil spray nozzles also operate according to need, and the alternator too operates only when it is needed. The effect is that the mentioned components – unlike conventional units – only consume energy when they actually need it.
The new transmission cuts consumption, enhances dynamics
The efficiency package includes the new ECO Gear six-speed manual transmission designed specifically for vans. Its outstanding feature is a particularly large ratio between first and top gear with a low-geared 1st gear and a 6th gear designed as an overdrive.
Generally speaking, with the new transmission the engine speed level is distinctly reduced in favour of lower consumption and the resultant greater economy. This goes hand in hand with lower exhaust and noise emissions and enhanced ride comfort.
ECO start/stop function: engine off at every stop saves up to eight percent fuel
The efficiency package under the BlueEFFICIENCY logo also includes the ECO start/stop function: if the vehicle is standing at idling speed, the engine is automatically shut off. The savings potential is nothing to sneeze at: on average, the Sprinter with ECO start/stop function makes do with up to eight percent less fuel in urban operation. At the same time, noise emission is reduced by cutting out the engine.
The ECO start/stop function brings its savings potential to bear mainly in city driving, and here in particular during the frequent waits in tailbacks or at red lights. As soon as the vehicle stops for at least three seconds without a gear being engaged, the ECO start/stop function shuts down the engine. When the driver steps on the clutch pedal or releases the brake so that the vehicle begins to roll, the engine is promptly restarted.
Environmentally friendly, safe and comfortable all in one
Sophisticated electronics provide for safety: if the vehicle begins to roll the engine is immediately started to ensure power assistance for the brakes and steering. Also, with a gear engaged the engine only starts running if the clutch pedal is fully depressed. To prevent cold starts and engine overheating, the system operates exclusively at coolant temperatures between 40 and 100 degrees Celsius.
The Sprinter NGT: another BlueEFFICIENCY technology
Starting immediately the Sprinter NGT also proudly wears the “BlueEFFICIENCY” badge on both wings.
Both clean and economical, the vehicle drive system fuelled with natural gas unites opposites. The new Sprinter NGT with mono-fuel or bi-fuel natural gas drive confirms this assessment: sharply reduced exhaust gas and noise emissions, appreciably lower upkeep costs, and a large cruising range in combination with the standard drive are some of its advantages.
Mercedes-Benz offers the Sprinter 316 NGT and 516 NGT in different body variants. The basic engine, a four-cylinder petrol unit, develops 115 kW (156 hp) and torque of 240 Nm.
Both BlueEFFICIENCY technologies for the Sprinter can be ordered starting immediately.